From Saturday, April 28 to Tuesday, May 1, 2018 Movimiento Cosecha GR will be calling for a four-day Puente, a strike and boycott to show the power of immigrants in the West Michigan economy. To highlight one of the stories from area immigrants, this poem was written by A.G. It was written in Spanish and then translated to English. It is being shared with the author's permission.
The poem tells of the reason for their journey from Guatemala to the United States. The Spanish version of the poem will be shared in El Malcriado, a Cosecha zine that will be released during the Puente at El Día del Niño. The English version is expected to be released at a later date.
My Journey
by A.G.
The poverty that I lived,
the disastrous hunger day by day:
they made life a nightmare
that consumed my soul in pain.
I stood witness to death:
of my dear relative.
Due to bad luck and illness
her strength and light fled.
She was called Reyna:
sweet cousin I loved.
No money for medicine;
her absence left my heart dulled.
I cursed poverty and famine,
I cursed that I had to live,
I swore to heaven from my petty darkness
that this would not happen again.
How could this young woman
suffer this wound at thirteen?
Where, I wondered, is your love,
merciful Lord and King?
I’d forgotten how you use the vile,
the withered flower to create seed;
and after the violent storm
the rainbow shines over the field.
In anguish I swore to heaven, no other would die while I lived;
though three thousand miles and the years
would separate my family from me
For their health I would provide, with the money that I wired.
I convinced my parents
that my journey north was imminent;
they would always be on my mind
their teachings were my guardians.
With tears in their eyes and heart’s regret
they stood and saw me leave
“Go with God” they said, for He was entrusted
with my path and destiny.
It’s been twenty long years
since my mother has hugged me.
I haven’t heard my father’s voice
since he went to heaven.
Every day that passes I reflect
if it was worth this journey, this deprivation,
this promise and sacrifice imposed by love:
Who knows? The one who loves with passion.
The price I’ve paid is high
yet this has been my legacy
immigrating to this great nation
though I despise how much I suffer here.
Though the bad hombre’s hate burns like sulfur
I am grateful, because blessed I am.
Today with this poem I say thanks from my heart
to God and to you for your concern.
Thank you!
To honor and celebrate all the immigrants from the local community, Movimiento Cosecha GR is hosting a series of community events during the strike, culminating in a May Day March that begins in Roosevelt Park at 12 noon. Visit the Facebook event to learn more.
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